Xiang Ning and the middle-aged man collided, sparks flying from the clashing metal. The piercing sound still didn’t cover Annot’s melodious voice. Her voice was like an angel’s song, untouched and unblemished by any distractions or evil intent. 

Xiang Ning and the man fought like butterflies fluttering around Annot. 

“Why do you want to kill her, isn’t peace a good thing?” Both collided once more. The man’s tier five strength and Assimilated-level Charging Toss were equal to Xiang Ning’s tier four strength with Charging Toss at Peak Mastery. 

“You’re still a child and you don’t understand the world of adults. But you’re very strong. My name is Peng Saike, I think you’ll be the last person to hear that name.” Peng Saike smiled. When he finished his sentence, power exploded from his muscles, finally unleashing the true power of a tier five martial artist. 

If the gap between tier three and four was a river, then this gap between tier four and five would be as wide as the Yangtze River Delta itself. 

Xiang Ning licked his lips, then activated Shadowmist Ghost Step, morphing into an illusory figure as he charged at Peng Saike. During these past few days, he had learned an offensive sword skill. In the past, he only knew simple movements and frantic slashing, but now he had proper techniques. 

The strength behind his slashes was amplified by his Mental Power. With the help of Oscillate, they were three times stronger than they should be, enough for him to draw against Peng Saike. However, all he could do was defend himself; he was still stuck. They collided again, and this time Peng Saike’s slash forced Xiang Ning several steps back. 

“You really are a strange one.” Peng Saike looked at Xiang Ning. He was a tier four martial artist, but Peng Saike was still fully occupied in the duel as a tier five himself. Although there were many good opportunities to beat the teenager in front of him, by the time he noticed them Xiang Ning would have already struck. His reaction time was much faster than him, sometimes even being able to retaliate as if he was just showing a weakness on purpose. 

Peng Saike was frustrated, unsure whether he should kill Xiang Ning. This was a major dilemma on both sides, so they were unable to unleash their full power. The hesitation affected Peng Saike’s attacks and speed, and although it was only a little bit, it was all that Xiang Ning needed. 

He was delighted in seeing his Experience Points rise. Fighting against someone more powerful was the most profitable way to earn Experience Points. 

Level: Tier four, one-star martial artist (42,543/50,000) +490

Experience Points +530

Experience Points +643

...

Xiang Ning smirked as he looked at his bleeding hands. Although he could rely on his powers and special skills to fight Peng Saike, his physical body was still just too weak. Every time he blocked Saike’s attack with his sword, the force would transfer to his hands. After more than ten rounds, the skin between his thumb and index finger had cracked. 

“Leave. You’re only tier four, and I can sense that you’ve only recently broken through.” 

Xiang Ning looked at the edge of his blade, jagged as it was from the various collisions, and smiled. He tossed the longsword away and reached his hand forward. Particles materialized and a strange, gigantic silvery-white longsword with purple lines appeared in his hand. It radiated an intimidating aura. 

“A bioweapon, is it? Looks like it swallowed an impressive beast core, too. Definitely a good weapon. However, you’re still only tier four, and a weapon is just a supplement to your strength. It can’t take you to tier five. All you possess is mid-stage tier four strength at best.” Peng Saike looked at him. To be honest, he was surprised to see a boy as young as Xiang Ning be so powerful. He had just become a martial artist when he was that age. 

“That won’t be a problem. I’ll take you down before the song ends.” Xiang Ning smiled. 

Peng Saike’s brows furrowed as he felt a strange sense of panic. This brat wasn’t as simple as he looked! 

“Eight Gates! Gate of Origin, Open!” 

Tier four, four-star! 

“Gate of Resting! Open!” 

Tier four, eight-star!

“Gate of Life! Open!” 

Xiang Ning was infinitely close to tier five! 

“Gate of Pain! Open!” 

Tier five, one-star!

He opened four gates in a row as his power instantly elevated from a tier four, one-star to a tier five, one-star martial artist. Raw power radiated from his body! 

“That’s impossible! You’re very talented, and I’m not going to kill you. There isn’t a need for you to destroy your own hidden potential using secret techniques!” 

Xiang Ning cocked an eyebrow but slightly hunched his back, prepared to attack. When Peng Saike saw his stance, he sighed. “It’s my honor that a prodigy like you would sacrifice his potential to fight me!” He was in no mood for conversation. 

Xiang Ning could tell that the song was ending, and if it did, he couldn’t fathom the panic that would ensue. There were so many people in the audience—a stampede was certain. He didn’t dare imagine on what scale, but he knew that his sister would be in danger! 

He exhaled slowly. “Gate of Resolution! Open!” 

Tier five, four-stars! 

There was a thunderous rumble as Xiang Ning grew stronger than Peng Saike. 

“You must be mad!” Peng Saike initially was at a loss, but now it had turned to full-blown panic. He wasn’t mourning the loss of a talent now, as his life and mission were at stake! 

He changed his target and charged toward Annot. He regretted not unleashing his full power to defeat Xiang Ning in the beginning. Now his chances of success were so slim! 

His expectations were on point. Xiang Ning had already opened five Gates, so of course he could defeat Peng Saike. If he couldn’t, that would mean Peng Saike was stronger than the Octoviolet Silversnake! 

Triple Slash! Mountain-Splitting Slash! Oscillate! 

Although Xiang Ning felt like he was powerful after opening five Gates, and was already stronger than Peng Saike on paper, he felt like a powerful martial artist like him should have some final trick up his sleeve, right? 

He was right. A suit of armor materialized on Peng Saike’s body, but it wasn’t intended to save his life, only to momentarily block Xiang Ning’s attack so he could kill Annot. What he didn’t know was that Xiang Ning had expected it, so he layered three skills together, bringing his power to terrifying heights. 

Especially with Keen Observation, the execution of this attack would be flawless! 

Peng Saike, who was pouncing forward, felt like he had been hit by a truck traveling at two hundred kilometers per hour. A crater instantly formed on the stage where he stood.

tl notes: Ronan is most likely his alias and Peng Saike is his true name, or vice versa.

'LeAvE. YoU’rE oNlY tIeR fOuR' Lmao he's the MC.